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REFERENCE

writer

n.
US //ˈɹaɪtɝ// UK //ɹˈaɪtɐ// writ·er
  1. 1 an author (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a person who writes books, stories, articles, or other literary works.

    a person who produces written work, especially as an occupation or for publication.

    Example

    She is a famous writer who has published three novels about history.

    Example

    The writer spent several months conducting archival research before drafting the first chapter of her biography on the former prime minister.
  2. 2 graffiti artist (n.)
    C1 Advanced Slang

    a person who creates graffiti, especially someone who paints their name or art in public places.

    a practitioner of graffiti art, particularly one who focuses on stylized lettering or 'tags'.

    Example

    The local writer painted a colorful mural on the old brick wall.

    Example

    The city's underground scene is dominated by a few prolific writers whose distinctive styles are recognizable across several districts.
    • graffiti artist
    • tagger
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  1. 3 finance (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Law

    a person or company that sells an option or an insurance policy.

    the seller of an option contract or the underwriter of an insurance policy.

    Example

    As the writer of the option, he receives a fee from the buyer.

    Example

    The writer of a call option is obligated to sell the underlying asset at the strike price if the holder chooses to exercise the contract.
  2. 4 legal practitioner (n.)
    C2 Proficiency British English Dialect Archaic Law

    a name used in Scotland for a lawyer or legal professional.

    a term historically used in Scotland for a solicitor or legal practitioner in smaller towns.

    Example

    The family consulted a local writer to help them with the property documents.

    Example

    In nineteenth-century Scottish literature, the local writer often served as the primary arbiter of legal and administrative disputes within the village.
Origin

From Middle English writer, writere, from Old English wrītere (“draughtsman; painter; writer; scribe; copyist”) and ġewritere (“writer; composer”), equivalent to write + -er and writ + -er. Cognate with Icelandic ritari (“clerk, secretary”), Faroese ritari (“clerk, secretary”).

Word family

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